First Walking & Wheeling Festival covers 1,400km
Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council funded the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), the walking and cycling charity, to deliver the Borough’s first 30-day Walking and Wheeling Festival which helped local people ‘Walk, wheel and connect’.
428 people took part across the Borough, completing over 1,400km across 30 free led and self-led routes over 30 days – which is more than walking or wheeling Eastleigh to Edinburgh and back again!
Local organisations, artists and volunteers provided routes to explore by foot, wheelchair and mobility aid. They covered a range of themes, lengths, locations and access needs over 19 locations, ensuring there was something for everyone.
The 'Careering Through Time: A Solve-A-Long Railway Adventure Trail' launch event, created by The Point for the Hamble Rail Trail as part of Railway 200, celebrated the 200 years of public railways in Great Britain. It led an impressive 201 walkers and wheelers around Netley Country Park with live performers.
The amazing route leaders used history, art, nature, and photography to bring fun and interest to each event – we even had the inspiring triple-gold Paralympian Swimmer, Peter Hull MBE who brought a sporting talk about his inspiring journey to Barcelona 1992 success!
All the festival routes and other local routes and groups have been made available online to help residents explore their local area and discover the joys of moving under their own steam.
From the valuable feedback, participants said the programme helped:
• Over 70% to more active
• Over 90% explore their local area
• Over 91% meet new people
• Over 91% feel happier
...and 98% said they would like to be involved in a similar festival next year!
One attendee said: “My opinion of led and group walks has changed. Previously I wouldn’t have seen myself as someone who would enjoy walking with a group of strangers, but I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people across a range of ages. Inspiring to meet older people and hear how they stay active and widen their social circles, particularly after being widowed.”
Another attendee of said: “I have attended them all with my children and they have also enjoyed them, especially the curiosity trail, and the artwork trail. We have learnt some new routes and have actually been back with other family members since. Please run them again next year. They were lots of fun. Thank you for the opportunity.”
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Project Manager for Active Journeys (South and East), Emma Cocksedge, said: “The festival could not have happened, or have been the success it was, without the wonderful volunteers who gave their time, energy, knowledge and enthusiasm to deliver and support the activity. A celebration event was held at The Cable Works, Eastleigh to thank them for their efforts. The volunteers and creative artists who delivered activities for the festival were treated to tea and cake and time to chat and reflect on the festival. They were joined by the Council Health Walks Leaders who hold weekly walks across the Borough. The group helped consider how more walking and wheeling could be supported throughout the year.”
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Cabinet Member Health, Cllr Tonia Craig, said:” Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event an immense success over August and September. It really has helped residents explore history, nature and arts in a creative and active way. We hope more take advantage of the new resources to help them walk, wheel and connect across the Borough.”
View the festival routes or other local walks and walking groups, visit: eastleigh.gov.uk/EastleighWWfest
Pictured below: Two happy groups of walkers followed by the volunteer celebration
